(Posted June 23, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College head football coach Carmen Felus knew there were several position groups that would be thin heading into the 2010 season, and would need reinforcement during this year's recruiting cycle.

Suffice to say, Felus is pleased with how things turned out.

Juniata Football will welcome 36 newcomers to the program when the Eagles open their 2010 pre-season camp on August 15. The incoming class will give the Eagles some added depth on defense, where Juniata graduated some of the most talented defensive players to grace Knox Stadium in recent decades, as well as at quarterback.

Among the 36 are 10 athletes who earned All-State honors during their junior or senior season of high school football. While the list is heavy on athletes from Pennsylvania - especially Juniata's recruiting backyard of PIAA Districts V and VI - there are also incoming players from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

"We're very excited about the class that has committed to us for next season," said Juniata head coach Carmen Felus. "We've addressed a lot of needs - obviously, at quarterback - and on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the secondary and the defensive line."

"Not only are these guys quality football players, but they're outstanding students and they all have great character. They fit the mold of what we're trying to accomplish here and the type of football player we want here at Juniata College. We're very excited about their potential, and we look forward to them coming into training camp, getting assimilated with our veterans, and kicking off the 2010 season," said Felus.

The following is a list, in alphabetical order, of incoming freshman football student-athletes who have submitted deposits to attend Juniata College starting this fall; additional commitments may be announced at a later date.

Vinny Baker
LB, 5-11, 220, Rockwood, Pa./Rockwood

Four-year letterwinner at Rockwood... 2009 Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association Defensive MVP... an all-conference and all-county selection... led his team in sacks as a senior... son of Donald and Sheila Baker... will pursue engineering studies at Juniata.

Chris Beall
DB, 5-7, 170, Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon

Three-year letterwinner for coach John DeSimone at Wissahickon... earned all-league honors as both a linebacker and a guard during his senior season, and was an honorable mention all-area selection at linebacker... an all-league and all-area defensive tackle as a junior, and named Wissahickon's Defensive Lineman of the Year... team captain for 2009 season... son of William and Donna Beall... will study secondary education and history at Juniata.

Nate Beck
DB, 5-10, 175, Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area

Two-year letterwinner for coaches Phil Riccio and Tom Pulfey at Altoona Area HS... an Honorable mention Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division selection... named to the Altoona Mirror's All-Star defense squad as an honorable mention safety... son of Craig and Melissa Beck... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Chris Bilak
OL, 6-0, 225, Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown

Three-year letterwinner and starter for coach Kevin Marabito... a member of Greater Johnstown's 2009 squad that captured a District VI Class AAA championship, and finished as runner-up in 2008... team captain as a senior... son of Sheri Bilak... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

George Bivens
QB, 5-10, 175, Davidsville, Pa./Conemaugh Township

Three-time letterwinner at Conemaugh Township for coach Sam Zambanini... an Honorable mention All-State selection as a senior, as well as an all-county honoree... Honorable mention all-area honors from the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat... served as a team captain during his senior season, and was Conemaugh Township's summer lifting/conditioning MVP during summer 2009... helped lead Conemaugh Township to a District V title and the 'elite eight' round of the Pennsylvania group A state playoffs... son of George and Francine Bivens... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Trey Campbell
WR, 6-1, 174, Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis

Two-year letterwinner for coach John Hayes (Juniata '69) at Bellwood-Antis... First team All-Inter-County Conference in 2009 as a wide receiver... PIAA District VI Sportsmanship Award recipient for 2009-10... son of Kenneth and Jo Ann Campbell... will enter the pre-medicine program at Juniata.

Brendan Cohn
CB, 5-9, 160, Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook

Two-year letterwinner for coach Steve Locicero at Lynbrook-Long Island... earned Lynbrook's special teams player award... son of Lewis and Pamela Cohn... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Blaine Counsil
CB, 5-8, 155, Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain

Three-year letterwinner for coach Steve Turchetta at Central Mountain, where he played cornerback and wide receiver... earned First team All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors as a senior... son of Daryl Andrus, Jr., and Lisa Miller... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Zack Doyle
OL, 6-2, 280, Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis

Three-year letterwinner for coach John Hayes (Juniata '69) at Bellwood-Antis, where he helped lead B-A to a class A district title in 2007... Pa. sports writers Class A All-State First team offensive lineman as a senior... also named all-conference, all-county, and all-area... three-time Pa. Football News all-academic team... also lettered in track and field, basketball, and baseball... son of Chris and Barbara Doyle... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

John Dubensky
K/P, 5-11, 175, Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Perry

Played three seasons at Perry for coach Bill Gallagher... earned WPIAL Pittsburgh Area All-Star honors as a placekicker as a senior, and was an all-city punter... named all-city placekicker as a junior, while helping Pittsburgh Perry reach the city league championship game... son of John and Nancy Dubensky... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Joshua Dutton
Ath, 5-8, 190, Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons

Two-year letterwinner at Cardinal Gibbons, playing both linebacker and running back... earned All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) honors as a senior... Baltimore Touchdown Club all-star selection... team's defensive MVP... son of Owen and Cynthia Dutton... brother Jordan is a standout defensive back at Guilford College (N.C.)... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Brandon Felus
DE, 6-3, 225, Columbia, Pa./Columbia

Three-year letterwinner for coach Jason Shoff at Columbia... named team's lineman of the year last season... Lancaster-Lebanon League second team guard and honorable mention defensive end all-star... team captain as a junior and senior... son of Joseph and Beth Felus... will pursue engineering studies at Juniata.

Ryan Gaunt
WR, 5-10, 170, Johnstown, Pa./Ferndale

Four-year letterwinner at Ferndale for coach Tony Penna... earned All-State honors from both the Pa. sports writers (second team) and Pa. Football News (third team)... Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association Offensive MVP, and a Ken Lantzy All-Star game selection... two-time Western Pa. Football Conference (WestPAC) all-conference honoree... first team all-area from Johnstown Tribune-Democrat... led all of Pa. Class A in receiving yards and receptions as a senior, and was second in the state in all classes in receiving yards... son of Gary and Tammy Gaunt... will study sports management at Juniata.

Kevin Gorman
Ath, 5-11, 215, Waverly, N.Y./Waverly Central

Three-year letterwinner for coach Jason Miller (Juniata '92) at Waverly Central... amassed 1,745 yards rushing with 19 touchdowns during his senior season, earning First team All-State Offense honors from the N.Y. State Sportswriters Association... also earned First team All-State Defense honors as a junior after finishing with 91 tackles, five sacks, and one interception; he was the only junior named to the first team... helped lead Waverly Central to the Class B Section IV title in 2008... also accomplished in basketball and baseball during his high school career... son of Sean and Rebecca Gorman... will study history at Juniata.

Max Hengler
DE, 5-11, 225, Boonton, N.J./Boonton

Three-year letterwinner for coaches Dan Allen and John Dubuque... earned first team all-conference honors as a defensive end as a senior, and was a second team all-conference selection at center as a junior... team captain as a senior... named first team academic all-conference as a senior, and was recognized as a scholar-athlete by the Morris County chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame... son of Arthur and Elaine Hengler... will study environmental studies at Juniata.

Casey Katzenstein
DL, 6-0, 225, Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop

Two-year letterwinner at Westmont Hilltop for coach Matt Glennon... named to 2009 Southern Allegheny Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) All-Star team, and was a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference all-conference selection... played in 2010 Ken Lantzy "Finest 40" All-Star game... team captain during his senior season, and named team's defensive MVP... son of Robert and Emilie Katzenstein... planning on studying history and secondary education at Juniata.

Daniel Knott
RB, 5-9, 170, Claysburg, Pa./Claysburg-Kimmel

Three-year letterwinner at Claysburg-Kimmel for coach William Kitt... three-time Bedford-Blair County all-star, and earned All-Inter-County Conference honors last season... logged three 1,000-yard rushing seasons at C-K... team captain as a senior, and named C-K's 2009-10 Male Athlete of the Year... selected for Lezzer Lumber All-Star game... son of Eric and Cynthia Venesky... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Grant Martin
DL, 6-2, 230, Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis

Two-year letterwinner at Bellwood-Antis for coach John Hayes (Juniata '69)... named a First team All-State defensive lineman last season by the Pa. Football News... First team All-Inter-County Conference and First team Altoona Mirror all-star at defensive end... named honorable mention offensive tackle by the Altoona Mirror... earned all-academic honors from Pa. Football News during both his junior and senior seasons... son of John and Theresa Martin... will enter the biology/pre-medicine program at Juniata.

Ethan Maxey
OL, 6-0, 260, Abington, Pa./Abington

Two-year letterwinner on the offensive and defensive lines at Abington... son of Joel and Donna Maxey... will pursue international studies at Juniata.

Brett Morganstern
WR, 6-4, 185, Johnstown, Pa./Richland

Lettered for coach Brandon Bailey at Richland, playing both wide receiver and defensive end... team captain as a senior... son of Les and Joyce Morganstern... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Chris Moss
DB, 6-0, 195, South Fork, Pa./Forest Hills

Three-year letterwinner at Forest Hills for coach Don Bailey... named Southern Alleghenies Defensive Player of the Year, and Pa. Football News Third team All-State defensive back... earned Johnstown Tribune-Democrat first team all-area honors... son of Gerald and Kathleen Moss... will enter Juniata's pre-med program.

Zack McCaulley
RB, 5-9, 190, Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis

Three-year letterwinner at Bellwood-Antis for coach John Hayes (Juniata '69)... First team All-Inter-County Conference and All-Blair County in both his junior and senior seasons... selected for Lezzer Lumber All-Star game... Pa. Football News Third team All-State... all-area each of the last two seasons... helped lead B-A to a 2007 District title and runner-up in both 2008 and 2009... son of Brion and Onda McCaulley... will study psychology at Juniata.

Josh Nell
DB, 5-9, 175, Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove

Three-year letterwinner at Spring Grove for coach Jason Cole, playing both wide receiver and linebacker... team captain as a senior... son of Daniel and Kelly Nell... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Greg Nixon
LB, 5-11, 230, Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Three-year letterwinner at Baltimore Poly for coach Roger Wren... All-City center in 2008 and 2009... named to Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 all-star team... helped lead Baltimore Poly to a city championship during his senior campaign... son of Sherry Nixon... will pursue engineering studies at Juniata, with the goal of becoming a nuclear engineer.

Kevin Peoples
RB, 5-6, 165, District Heights, Md./Archbishop Carroll

Two-year letterwinner at running back for Archbishop Carroll for coach Rick Houchens... selected for D.C. All-City Bowl... son of LaWan Young... will study information technology at Juniata.

Gino Ramires
QB, 5-11, 175, Johnstown, Pa./Richland

Three-year letterwinner at Richland for coach Brandon Bailey... passed for 4,700 yards and 43 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Richland, earning Pa. sports writers Honorable Mention All-State honors as a junior... named Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association Offensive MVP following his senior season, and was Laurel Highlands Athletic Conf. Offensive MVP... selected for Ken Lantzy All-Star game... son of Robert and MaryAnn Ramires... will enter Juniata's pre-med program.

Andrew Rice
DE, 6-1, 230, Dublin, Pa./Pennridge

Three-year letterwinner at Pennridge for coach Randy Cuthbert... earned second team all-league honors as a senior on both the offensive line and the defensive line... named Pennridge's Offensive MVP... as a junior, named Honorable mention All-Suburban One league as an offensive lineman... son of Henry and Darla Rice... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Jared Shope
DE, 6-2, 225, Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area

Two-year letterwinner at Altoona Area for coaches Phil Riccio and Tom Palfrey... named second team Altoona Mirror all-star and Blair County all-star at offensive tackle as a senior... also earned honorable mention Blair County all-star honors from the Mirror's sports staff... an honorable mention Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division all-star... served as team captain during his senior season... son of Edward Shope and Kimberly Morgan-Shope... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata, but wants to pursue a career in civil engineering.

David Smyers
QB, 6-3, 185, Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Three-year letterwinner and two-year stater at Pittsburgh Central Catholic for coach Terry Totten... led the Vikings to an 8-3 record last season and the WPIAL quarterfinals... played in City vs. North All-Star game... member of Central Catholic's Class AAAA 2007 state championship team... also pitched for Central Catholic's section championship squads in 2007 and 2010... son of David and Ann Smyers... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Josh Vargo
OL, 6-2, 280, Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria

Three-year letterwinner on the defensive and offensive lines for Penn Cambria, high school alma mater of Juniata head coach Carmen Felus, playing for coach Ernie Fetzer... selected to play in Ken Lantzy All-Star game... son of Daniel and Brenda Vargo... will study business at Juniata College.

John Ward
DL, 5-11, 260, Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Three-year letterwinner for coach Roger Wrenn at Baltimore Poly... son of Phillip and Joyce Ward... will study biology at Juniata.

Pat Weiss
DL, 5-9, 230, Middletown, Md./Middletown

Two-year letterwinner for coach Isevin Lynott at Middletown... received honorable mention all-state honors... named first team all-conference and all-area... selected for the Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team... son of David and Nancy Weiss... his brother David Weiss will be a junior next year at Juniata... undecided on a program of emphasis.

Justin Wiand
OL, 5-10, 255, Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area

Letterwinner for coach Jason Dressler at Mifflinburg... earned academic all-star honors at Mifflinburg... son of Glenn and Barbara Wiand... will study physics/pre-engineering at Juniata.

Ben Wilt
Ath, 5-7, 165, Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley

Three-year letterwinner for coaches Gawen Stoker (Juniata '63) and Tom Shrear at Indian Valley... member of Indian Valley's District championship teams in both football (2007) and baseball (2007)... team captain during his senior season... son of William Wilt and Jennifer Avrand... will study English at Juniata College.

Ted Worthington
RB, 5-11, 185, Nanty Glo, Pa./Blacklick Valley

Four-year letterwinner for coach William Zamboni at Blacklick Valley... All-Western Pa. Athletic Conference (WestPAC) at running back as a senior... was an all-area selection and honorable mention all-state from Pa. Football News... rushed for over 1,000 yards during his senior campaign... named to Ken Lantzy All-Star game... three-time WestPAC all-conference in track and field, setting a new school record in the 100m (11.06)... son of Theodore and Sandra Worthington... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

Shane Yuhas
DB, 5-8, 170, West Mifflin, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Three-year letterwinner at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, where he played defensive back and slotback... a first team all-conference selection as a senior, and played in the City vs. North All-Star game... helped guide Central Catholic to a section title as a senior, and played for the Vikings' Class AAAA state championship in 2007... son of Mark and Kimberly Yuhas... undecided on a program of emphasis at Juniata.

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